CITY OF TABUK, Kalinga, Dec. 2 (PIA) -- Almost all fund donations to typhoon Lawin victims in the province channeled through the provincial local government unit have been spent on various projects.

Provincial Accountant Virginia Puyoc reported that as of 24 November 2017, a total of P4,510,967 cash donation received by the province was spent for various projects with remaining balance of P309,021.57.

Members of the Disaster Relief/Response Operation and Donation Committee during their meeting on November 28 unanimously approved to use the remaining balance for the continuation of the construction of houses of eight family victims in Dilag, this city. Puyoc reported that 187 families in the province were beneficiaries of shelter assistance with a total of P1,870,000 disbursed at P10,000 each. She said P445,130.56 was spent for the rehabilitation of the Cabaruan communal irrigation system; P237,365 for the purchase of information technology equipment for DepEd; P235,315.49 for water supply in Balatoc, Pasil; P134,000 for the roofing of Tabuk City National High School; and P14,994 for the repair of Socbot Elementary School.

She said P950,000. was obligated for the construction and repair of other damaged structures, such as construction of a comfort room in Dilag – P100,000; construction of deepwell in Maligaya, Dilag – P200,000; rehab of Sal-oc water works in Bangad – P300,000, and repair of PNP barracks – P350,000.

Included for repair were the swine, sheep and goat housing, native pig shed and Rizal breeding center and CAFGU water works in Ag-agama, Western Uma.

For Tabuk City, particularly barangay Dilag, P136,000 was released to136 families while a separate amount of P360,000 was allocated to 36 families with totally damaged houses. About 15 from the 21 reported damaged houses in the barangay were validated. Also 8 from the 15 were validated as totally damaged houses and were relocated to a residential lot along the cemetery site since they do not own the lot where their houses are situated.

In Pinukpuk, P80,000 was released to eight families in Socbot and P90,000to nine families in Magaogao but only seven implemented the shelter assistance. All beneficiaries used their P10,000 shelter assistance in constructing new houses which will be augmented soon with the P25,000 emergency shelter assistance from DSWD and the resources of the family themselves.

In Tinglayan, two families were assisted in Butbut Proper, one in Buscalan and another in Tulgao West. One family was also given P10,000 in Balbalan Proper.

During the committee’s meeting, respective functions of four task groups created were discussed and functions of local risk reduction management councils were properly defined. Peter Balocnit (JDP/PAB-PIA CAR, Kalinga)

Bright prospects for Baguio’s tourism industry

Smoke-free task force inspection of establishments at cbd on

BAGUIO CITY – Members of the Smoke-Free Baguio Task Force conducted inspections of business establishments at the central business district on Feb. 13 and 15 to monitor the extent of compliance to Ordinance No. 34 series of 2017 or Smoke-Free Baguio ordinance.

Balili river project

BAGUIO CITY – A four-semester, two-year project for the rehabilitation of the Balili river will be conducted, after a memorandum of agreement signing last Monday with Mayor Mauricio Domogan, La Trinidad Mayor Romeo Salda, the academe and partner agencies present.

Gov’t not ready for ban on export of minerals

BAGUIO CITY – Kalinga Rep. and Mountain Province caretaker congressman Allen Jesse C. Mangaoang said the government is not yet ready for the implementation of a total ban on the export of minerals because of the reported absence of the needed industries that will utilize the produced minerals aggravated by the high production cost.

City to consult with stakeholders on fund use

BAGUIO CITY – The local government will consult with the stakeholders on the formulation of a comprehensive master plan on how to sustain the city’s new identity as a creative city and the utilization of the earmarked P2.5 million for crafts and arts.